What is Autism and What Are the Signs?

3 Most Common Question Parent's Have - What Defines Autism, What Can I Expect, and is Autism Forever?

Brandi Weems, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jul 10, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

There are no clear cut reasons why, how and what makes a person Autistic. When you start doing your research on the subject you will find many definitions for Autism and names for Autism. If your child does not have any other medical or mental diagnoses, your child would more than likely be put in one of two categories Autism or Aspergers. You will also hear that your child is on the Spectrum.

When your child's diagnosis is Spectrum disorder: that normally means they know your child is Autistic but not exactly sure how severe. When a child is labeled Asperger's syndrome that normally means that they show a lack of social interaction, some language delays but for the most part can understand language and are able to function and learn along side their peers.

When your child's diagnosis is Autism they will throw more confusing labels such as classic Autism and high functioning Autism. Classic Autism is when the child does not care to interact on a normal level with other children, these children normally have a huge delay in language, They may do what they call stimming.
Stimming is when the child has abnormal stimulation behaviors such as hand flapping, abnormal desire to spin, biting self, jumping or anything the child does in very extensive abnormal amounts.

High functioning is when the child may understand scholastics very well and know what words mean but still cannot use his words correctly. Or your child may use words correctly but not socialize at all.

When a doctor is making a diagnoses for Autism they will be looking for two of the three major signs.

1. Abnormal social development. 2. Abnormal communicationskills 3. The child's choice of activities are restricted and repetitive.
For most parents the first signs show up around 1.5 years old, they notice their child is not drawn to other children, their child seems very nonchalant, mistaken for a hearing problem, and when they look back they realized their child didn't go through some of the stages a normal baby goes through. For example: at 10 months normal children point to things so you can tell them the name of the object, at around 4-5 months babies love faces and reach out to touch and study the face, and from 4 months on, babies and children show some reaction when a new person enters their presences. When a doctor makes a diagnoses , they have you and your child in the room first, so they can see if your child notices them when they walk into the room. Normal children will want to talk their ear off or hide behind the parent. Autistic children normally don't react at all.

What can I expect? How is my child going to act? Will my child grow out of Autism?
These are all questions parents and grandparents want to know. One of painful things about having an Autistic child is not getting any good answers. It's not a simple diagnoses. No one or nothing is going to tell you how your child will develop and be as an adult except for time itself. The good new is they can learn. The more dedicated you are to teaching and the more intervention they receive as early as possible, your child could have a good chance of fitting into normal society. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it has been done.

The hardest part is in the beginning, when most parents are in denial. A child is normally just two years old when they get the diagnoses of Autism. Since they are still babies it's easy to think that the child is just shy. Or they have a good chance of just growing out of it. There is no cure or drug to correct Autism, and normally it is a forever battle. A great education and committed guardians have been the closest cure for an Autistic child. Patience will never be tested more. You might find your self trying to teach your child how to say one word for a year or even two before saying it. But it pays off. Some children learn enough communication skills to enter Kindergarten, Some will learn only enough communication to ask for things and get what they want, but yet still never have a conversation. Some will never talk at all. That is why it is known as the Spectrum. One of the mothers I talk to, who is very dedicated in teaching, finally had her first normal conversation with her child who is 10 years old.

Published by Brandi Weems

The Autism spectrum disorder is a diagnosis but not a limitation. Involving your Autistic child into family games, even if not willing will help him/her fell like a member of the family. View profile

Takeaways

Autism: Parents are desperate to know: What is Autism, Is Autism forever, What is my Autistic child
What is the difference between Autism, Aspergers and the Spectrum disorder?

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What is Autism and What Are the Signs?

3 Most Common Question Parent's Have - What Defines Autism, What Can I Expect, and is Autism Forever?

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